The Delhi Capitals suffered a major setback during their IPL 2025 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 29 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, as skipper Axar Patel sustained a painful finger injury in the 18th over of the first innings. The left-arm all-rounder, who has been one of DC’s most consistent performers this season, had to walk off the field in visible discomfort, dealing a huge blow to Delhi’s campaign at a critical juncture.
Axar, who has been leading from the front both with bat and ball this season, once again showcased his value with the ball against KKR. The left-arm spinner completed his full quota of four overs, returning with impressive figures of 4-0-27-2. His spell not only controlled the scoring rate but also delivered two key breakthroughs that put KKR on the back foot.
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He first struck in the 8th over, trapping opposition captain Ajinkya Rahane plumb in front with a quicker delivery. Then, just two overs later, he got rid of Venkatesh Iyer, who was struggling to find form. Iyer’s attempted slog across the line only resulted in a top edge that landed safely in the hands of Vipraj Nigam, reducing KKR to 113 for 4.
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However, disaster struck during the 18th over when Rovman Powell pushed a delivery from Vipraj Nigam towards mid-wicket. Axar made a valiant diving stop in an attempt to prevent a single, but in doing so, injured his finger. He looked in immediate distress and was seen clutching his hand before being escorted off the field. The seriousness of the injury could have significant implications for DC in the final stretch of the league stage.
Speaking at the toss earlier, Axar had emphasised the importance of sticking to their process and focusing on execution. “We wanted to focus on the process, not worry about the result. Need to execute our plans,” he said. He also noted that the wicket looked slow but still good enough for a 190-200 total.
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Meanwhile, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane underlined the importance of adaptability, saying: “We need to win five out of five… We are looking to play one game at a time. It’s hard to read this wicket. Need to assess quickly.”
Axar’s injury will now be a point of concern for Delhi, especially with the playoffs race heating up.
